The French Girl Bob is Trending

And it looks good on everyone, too

By
Maureen Sheen

Jul 5, 2019

Getty Images

French women have always possessed a certain je ne sais quoi when it comes to their beauty especially their laissez-faire hair. From Brigitte Bardot’s tousled bedhead to Jane Birkin’s nonchalant fringe to Caroline de Maigret’s insouciant texture, French girl hair remains highly coveted and perennially imitated. And this year has us falling hard for its resurgence as the bob.

It’s a classic cut that’s been around since the 1890s, but today’s trending iteration has been updated for the ne plus ultra of perfectly-imperfect, effortless chic. “The traditional French bob is cut right at the mouth line, with a straight full bang following the eyebrow line,” Parisian master stylist Yoann Bourquin tells CR. “But the modern twist can be seen in the asymmetry of the base line or layer, and with a little texture built-in.” And this time around, bangs are not de rigueur. The modern French girl bob has straight bangs, side swept bangs or no bangs at all. Plus, it’s great for wavy, curly, textured hair because of the lightness and harmony created by the cut.

What makes it different from the textured lob is the fuller, more blunt structure and the length. “The lob is longer,” explains celebrity hairstylist Lona Vigi. “Part of what makes today’s French girl bob is playing up one’s own texture for a tousled undone look. Waves and curls are part of that French girl look.”

“For years and years, girls have been wearing their hair long or putting in hair extensions. There’s a freshness and flirtiness that this haircut gives to today’s girl-on-the-go,” says Ted Gibson, co-founder of Starring by Ted Gibson in LA. “Strong lines with a bit of softness is always right.” Here, CR dives into three versions of this artfully mussed up élan.

Ted Gibson

GET THE LOOK IN THE SALON

“Make sure to ask your stylist for a blunt bob with softer lines that have layers in it for movement and fun,” says Gibson.

GET THE LOOK AT HOME

Start by applying Starring Shooting Star Texture Meringue on wet hair for a voluminous blow dry. After hair is dry, create piece-y texture and a matte-shiny finish by lightly working more Starring Shooting Star Texture Meringue into the mid-lengths and ends with just your fingertips. Finish the look with a hairspray like L’Oréal Elnett Normal for soft, touchable hold.

@deanmartindale

GET THE LOOK IN THE SALON

“Make sure the stylist has your hair texture in mind,” says Vigi. “Ask for a classic French bob with bangs cut above the eyebrows and longer at the temple.”

GET THE LOOK AT HOME

Because this cut is personalized and adapted for your own texture, minimal products are required for styling. Simply blow dry or air dry hair, and then take a curling iron or flat iron to the ends for any areas you want to manipulate. For added texture, apply a bit of Bio-Oil to your fingers and lightly run across the ends, curling or twisting as you go. And for the bangs? Try the trick that It-model Taylor LaShae (above) does by pulling a beret over her fringe and letting the wind do the rest.

Yoann Bourquin

GET THE LOOK IN THE SALON

“Always bring in pictures for reference, and ask for a classic French bob with soft layers and lots of texture,” says Bourquin.

GET THE LOOK AT HOME

“A great haircut doesn’t really require a lot of products or styling to look good,” says Bourquin. To achieve this look on straight or thin hair, simply apply a dry shampoo like L’Oréal Tecni.Art Wild Stylers or a texturizing spray like L’Oréal Tecni.Art Beach Waves to the roots. Then, lightly run a definition cream like L’Oréal Tecni.Art Hollywood Siren Waves all over for polish. On textured hair, use a styling milk and then use a little bit of wax like L’Oréal Architecture.

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